Yeah… that’s me… a happy Gooner rolling in transfers. What a bloody day eh?! The best day since time began? Or maybe just the best summer in 5 years? Either way, all the right things began to happen yesterday!

Now, there was obviously disappointment yesterday morning when everyone thought I was telling lies about Yann M’Vila, but then later that day, the backpage of the Evening Standard ran the story pretty much word for word and The Times are reporting the same this morning. Now, they’ve either got someone telling them the same things, or they’ve got a penchant for a daily dose of Le Grove. Either outcome is pleasing. Like I said yesterday, watch this space. We could easily spend £60million today and not bat an eye lid.

Simple fact is, Alex Song not the one and he’ll be off next summer. Frimpong is a very good prospect, but he needs guidance. Whichever way you look at it, we need a defensive midfielder today. We’re desperately short in the middle.

Defence…

We landed Per Mertesacker yesterday after he completed a medical. Andre Santos was also doing the same. There were a few articles floating about online that stated he’d changed his mind and flown back to Turkey to sign a 4 year deal. I’d be very surprised if that were the case!

Per Mertesacker was a massive curve ball yesterday, but ultimately a fantastic one. He’s a player we’ve been calling for on Le Grove since before June 2008. We reported that he was a Gooner way back then here, 3 years on, whaddya know, he’s going to be turning out at the home of football!

He’s 6ft6, he’s built powerfully, he has 70+ caps for a very solid German team, he’s won trophies, he has Champions League experience and he knows how to defend. Rumour has it we’ve picked him up for £9million. What a price!

This is the sort of player we should always be in for. He has pedigree, he has presence and he’ll slot in perfectly next to Thomas Vermaelen. We have a genuine little and large combination. We have a defender who has played the highline for club and country and we’ve done something crazy… signed a tall player to deal with our fear of high flying balls!

Sacrebleu! <- Does that mean what I think it does?

I’m very pleased.

Park Chu-Young signed for us officially yesterday. The South Korean captain joins us under a cloud of ‘who the f**k’, but the key point here is versatility and hard word. Mainly hard work though. Arshavin and Rosicky showed at the weekend that they’re not cut out for Arsenal when crunch time comes. We need someone who is going to work for their salary, this guy will. Does he have the required quality? I’m not sure… but if he can bag 12 goals for a relegated Monaco, I’d hope for something similar or better for a team capable of teeing him up with far more chances.

Oh, and he takes the number 9 shirt. You knew that already though, right?

Clint Dempsey…

There are big rumours we’re looking to add the American to our attacking line up. Whilst he’s not world-class, he’s a very good player with a superb eye for goal. He has that aggravation factor and a terrific work rate. You don’t need all your players to be La Masia schooled. Sometimes you just need a player who is direct, in your face and not afraid to ruffle a few feathers. He scored 14 goals for Fulham last year and he was very impressive. I’d welcome him into our squad and word on the South American street is that we’ve tabled a $16.8million bid for him.

Gary Cahill…

Have Bolton burned their bridges in negotiations for a player they’ll lose on a free if they don’t get rid of him today? We’ve signed a centre back already. That puts the pressure on Gartside’s hugely indebted club to do a deal today. I think we’re still in for him. Johann Djourrou has been so bad over the past 6 months, you wonder for his future. Cahill is still a top defender and regardless of how many people tell you he’s rubbish, he’s not, he’d make a great addition to the squad.

I still remember how many people told me Ashley Young wasn’t Arsenal quality… some statement eh?

Chris Samba…

There were a lot of rumblings about the shower bully from Blackburn. I have my doubts. The rumours feel more like stories designed to get him a move away from Steve Kean. He’d be a useful addition, but we’ve already filled the role of ‘massive beast’, if we get another centre back, they’ll be good on the ground and stylish… Like a break dancer.

The creative hole?

There’s a massive hole in our side, that’s the one left by Cesc Fabregas. If there’s going to be a monster signing today, I’d love it to come there. Yossi looks like he’s off to Spurs, so good luck to him, quality player, poor injury record. That leaves us with the prospect of Gotze or Hazard. There will probably be another curve ball thrown there, but I’m struggling to see where it’s coming from. The German might be pulled away from his club for £35million and a massive salary, I’m not sure though, it would be a bad move for Dortmund but I guess it depends on how much they want the cash. They’re not flush!

My money is on Arteta. Like Yossi, top quality, just not so much on the fitness side of things. I’d also be interested in Frank Ribery. He was once a £60million player, then his mates bought him a 17 year old hooker, now he’s not quite as popular. He’d be amazing in the Premiership. He’d replace Nasri perfectly. Could we move for him? I’d love it… who knows! Sky are reporting that Honda is in London for a medical… it’s all too much!

Medical…

I was told that two medicals were booked yesterday, two more for today. Make of that what you will!

Conclusion

It’s a shame it took an absolute spanking to push the board and Arsene Wenger into some serious action. Nearly all of this business could have been conducted in June. I don’t believe all these players have been targets all summer, we’ve just shown intent and made things happen because careers are on the line.

Still, that’s a story for another day.

We’re developing a strong core to the team now. We could make top 4 if we make 2-3 signings of intent again today. Amazing how quickly things can change eh? The squad will be revitalised and fans will be excited for the Swansea game. A morale booster for everyone!

My worry though, is that we’re once again in a transition year. This sort of frenzied 48 hours should never have happened and if we’d made purchases like this 2 years ago, who knows who’d still be here fighting it out in the first team.

Anyway, it’s the last day of transfer rumours. There won’t be a live blog, the comments section will going mental all day, tune in, you can get far more info than 140 characters into a comment and all the stories will come direct to you all day from the Grovers! Life is very exciting!

P.S. For some further reading and listening, check out Tim Payton in the Independent talking business models(I’m not talking topless Staples Girls) and the Footy Shows Podcast starring king of AKB’s, Bob Wilson!

“It’s a shame it took an absolute spanking to push the board and Arsene Wenger into some serious action. Nearly all of this business could have been conducted in June. I don’t believe all these players have been targets all summer, we’ve just shown intent and made things happen because careers are on the line.”

I think some on here are getting carried away, we have santos, young and m,seker.some are saying we have enough to get us in top 4. how quickly ambitions seem to change. if midfield isnt sorted today with a quality signing, we`re fucked. if we do, it maybe enough for those that are happy with top 4. fickle or what. Im not being negative, but i agree with Hitman, wenger needs to go. lets wait and see then.

It down Luxborough lane in Chigwell…..i take all my rubbish to the tip which is directly oposite spuds training ground !! its a dead end lane and spuds are at the bottom…….then only other way would be via Ashdon playing fields which would mean you’d have to jump over a fence and walk about a mile through a field or stop on the hard shoulder of the m11 and walk up the embankment which would take only a few mins……doubt it though.

P.s. i blogged once about my dad hanging an Arsenal picture on their fence when we went to the tip once !!

Let’s buy Fellaini or De Rossi, forget about M’vila. He is over priced for now and less experienced than the above-mentioned. Add Cahill and Honda to that and I will trust Arsene once again. Perhaps, that shambolic display on sunday was a blessing in disguise. I wonder.

Sign, Sign, Sign and Sign some more players. I would love it if Wenger pulled 2 more out of the back before 23:00 it’s going to be fun to watch out for. Mertesacker is a bargain especially when you think Man Utd spent £30 Million on Rio Ferdinand.

We have made a 45 M euros offer for Gotze, which Dortmund did not accept.
I don’t see Hazard coming, but I can see Wenger buying Samba and M’Vila and/or Martin.
Note that Scott may be going to Blackburn. As a replacement for Samba?…http://www.lequipe.fr/Allos-v2/Allo_TRANSFERT.html

Must Song always be on this post for the wrong reasons? “Simple fact is, Alex Song not the one and he’ll be off next summer” Yeah, he stamped on a cunt but none of the officials saw him and replays are only used against the arsenal. Pls cut him some slack, he’s one of our best. At least we haven’t lost with him in the side this season

Ha, ha you’re all deluded, we’ll sign no-one of note, I don’t care how hard working this Park is, we should not be spending £5mil on a striker, we should be spending £30mil, did he not learn from the Chamakh signing? It’s not like we don’t have it is it???

I don’t like Ribery and Arteta is just a crock. As for Dempsey he’s a Fulham (type) player, we are Arsenal and should be spending at least what we have.

Wenger finally spending now is a massive admission he got it wrong and fucked up, well that and getting beaten 8-2

So allowing Wenger to waste the transfer money is equally stupid.

He went to commentate for French TV with 2 days of the window left, he should be sacked for that alone.

We have got to sign a top drawer creative midfielder.
We can’t lose two of the best in the world and not replace them…..This should all have been sorted out weeks ago instead of the usual fu$king around by Wenger

“Arsenal are very close to buying the outside left Fiorentina Juan Manuel Vargas (27). The deal is already well underway, and tomorrow could get the official status of the transfer. The ‘Gunners’ shelling out 12 million euros for the purchase of the Peruvian player, who also liked to Bayern Monaco, Juventus and Zenit St Petersburg.”

i still think evon with all these new signings it will hard to finish top 4.both nasri and fab going left huge whole that cant be filled with ramsey and wilshire it will need a real experienced player hopefully a big name

Great article, very accurate analysis of our situation and very well written.

A couple of things I’d like to challenge though mate. I’ve scoured the Internet and I’ve had Sky Sports News from yesterday afternoon right up until this very moment and have not read or heard so much of even a whiff of news about a medical for Honda or even an inquiry, let alone a bid.

Sky Sports News are however talking about Cahill, but how we’ve ended our interest in him after signing Mertesacker. He could now possibly move to Spurs and I have a feeling it’ll be another last second deal done by Harry for a seemingly impossible cut-price. Just like with van der vaart.

I think we may still be in for another midfielder but it’s anyone’s guess really and will it be an attacking or defensive middle man? It’s anyone’s guess really because although we’re lacking in the defensive midfield department, we all know Wenger would be loathe to drop Song, Diaby and Frimpong all down another notch in ranks and having spent more money whilst doing it.

Attacking midfield wise? Well he’s already signed Gervinho and Oxlade-Chamberlain, he’s still clearly keeping faith with Arshavin plus we have Theo and we still have the ‘Japanese Ronaldo’ Miyaichi. All of which can play the attacking midfielder roles as well as their respective wings.

Lastly, I highly, highly doubt we’ll be seeing Hazard in an Arsenal shirt. For one, his price is far too high for Wenger. To be honest I don’t blame him. I’m a HUGE fan of Hazard but at the end of the day, Paying 25-36 million for an unproven teenager playing in a lesser challenging league is a little much to ask, plus he’s a bit of a hothead and a little full of himself.

I do think we’ll be in for another midfielder but I think it’ll be someone we don’t expect and not a big marquee name. It seems Y’ann M’villa is too expensive although there are unconfirmed rumours were set to improve on our 22m bid up to £25m.

Suffice to say it’s actually an exciting deadline day for Gooners for once! And we’ll all agree I’m sure It’s about damn time!

Mertesacker and Santos are done deals, medicals and photoshoots etc all done, but announcement will be done later, when (and if) we make any other signings. Mertesacker is returning to the German squad and Santos to Turkey to pack his bags.

Sorry to be a doomer (Actually Im not), but none of the players we’ve signed are world class. People are just happy we’re actually doing something… and that should be fucking standard at a club like Arsenal, not a fucking special exception.

Why do we never parade a player?? Or have a fucking press conference with a new player to introduce him to the world media and supporters? Smacks of small club mentality. Fucking hell… even Napoli did it with Inler!

there are still some players that need to be sold badly for jd aa chamakh diaby scullaci all these are luxury players in my eyes.but i think it will have be done next summer i dought wenger will want to do much business in jan.the boy jekinson should go out on loan i think he has some very qualities but needs time.if wenger does get a top dm player i would put song as cd cover and dump jd,every time i see him its clear he is not natural midfielder he much of more of defender that sits on front of the defence but positional sence is not the best that my one and only problem with him no one can say he does not have the heart and committent

Caiden, most top clubs gain extra revenue from far East tours…barca, Real Mad, Manure to name a few. What is you problem with that. We still need to make a profit FFS !! Hopefully those funds will be spent.

Yandi, German and Brazilian internations…….not world class then no ??
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Are you fucking kidding me wardo? So they’re Brazilian and German, so they’re bound to be world-class? Get off the alcohol mate

He has crossed quite a few balls into the box that cut the keeper out completely. He seems to either get the ball in the box or get a corner……which is something i like. I wonder if you have actually seen him play

and no i am not saying he is world class or Lee Dixon right now….he has potential to be a good defender for us (Arsenal that is)